Video summary
On Wednesday, September 9th, Ollie's held its grand opening for the new Coal Run store, marking the end of a soft opening period and signaling that the staff are now fully trained and ready to serve the community. The event transformed what was previously just four walls with fresh red paint into a bustling hub filled with customers eager to explore discounts on home, kitchen, and auto supplies. Store team leader Courtney Gillum described the experience as surreal, noting how she has witnessed every step of the process from the construction of shelves to the arrival of merchandise and the influx of shoppers.
Gillum emphasized that her presence at the store is a testament to the hard work of her entire team, who have been instrumental in making the opening day possible. While she feels a sense of pride in seeing the fully stocked aisles, she also acknowledges the challenge of stepping back from her active role to let her trained employees take the lead. The response from the local community in Pikeville has been overwhelmingly positive, with many residents expressing surprise and delight that they finally have access to such a store after waiting so long for its arrival.
Beyond the excitement of opening day, Ollie's has made a significant impact on the local economy by providing new employment opportunities to dozens of area residents. Out of over 700 applicants who applied for positions, the store successfully hired 65 individuals, adding substantial jobs to the Pikeville region during its buildout process. Gillum highlighted that the store offers affordable access to essential items like recliners and furniture, helping families stretch their budgets in challenging economic times by providing goods that many previously thought were out of reach.
The store aims to maintain approximately half of its initial hiring capacity as it continues to operate, ensuring that it remains a vital resource for the community. Gillum believes that everything Ollie's sells is something someone eventually needs, reinforcing the idea that the store provides necessary affordability and accessibility. With nothing but positive feedback from customers who are thrilled to have the new location in their neighborhood, the team looks forward to continuing its mission of serving the Pikeville area with quality products and dedicated service.
Read the full video transcript
On Wednesday, September 9th, Ali's and
Cole Run hosted its grand opening for
the public. After a soft opening period,
the staff are now fully trained and
ready to help shoppers find discounts
and deals on home, kitchen, and auto
supplies and more. Store team leader
Courtney Gillum tells us what it was
like preparing for opening day.
>> It's kind of surreal whenever you think
about it. I mean, I've been in here, it
was just four walls with red fresh paint
on the the boards. Now I'm sitting here
looking at it full. There's customers
everywhere. I wouldn't be here without
my team. I know that much. Um, but I've
seen it all the way through from the
shelves being built to the customers
coming into the building, merchandise
coming out, all of the the steps. I've
been here every step of the way with the
team. So, for me, it's surreal, but it's
also hard because I've been so active
and now I'm having to step back and just
kind of let let my people do what I've
trained them to do. I've heard nothing
but positive things. I've had people
tell me that they couldn't believe we
waited so long to open. They're so happy
to have us here. It's been a very warm
welcome from all of the people in
Pikeville. We're glad to be here and
we're glad to to have that presentation
in the Pikeville area.
>> Gillum mentions how Ali's has helped
dozens in the area find new jobs to give
back to the community. So far, they have
heard nothing but positive feedback. We
had over 700 applicants apply with us
and uh the team that we started out with
in the building was 65. So we added 65
jobs to the area whenever we started our
buildout process of that. We're going to
be able to maintain, you know, about
half. I've heard, oh, they have food.
Oh, they have furniture. For a lot of
people that haven't been at Ali's
before, it gives them access to things
that, you know, they either thought were
out of their budget, but as you've seen,
we have recliners for low prices, other
furniture pieces for very low prices.
So, I think that Ali's provides that
affordability that a lot of people think
that they've lost in the economic times
that not just this area, but nationally
we're facing. So, I've seen a lot of it.
I can certainly tell you that anything
and everything that Ali sells is
something that somebody needs at some
point.